Archive for July, 2010

Thought I would share a few pictures from my flight the other day. These were taken at about 6500 feet when we landed on a little plateau. The area had a herd of Dall Sheep on it, but they ran down the mountainside out of view before I could get any pictures.

• Little Girls and Slumber Parties…… AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! #
• Alaskan Life: Sitting downtown in mid-July to watch a parade, IN SWEATERS. #
• It's Eskimo Elvis!! http://yfrog.com/jum1mhj #
• Midnight rainbow from the other night http://yfrog.com/i3hhpj #

Back to the war zone for a third time in what will be 5 years by the time this tour is over.

I do know when and where, but I will leave it at that for now.

Today I flew. And I do mean flew. Over six hours of continuous flight. We were doing specialized High Altitude training. The flight included learning how to fly and maneuver around high mountain peaks, glaciers, and in the high winds of big mountain ranges. I have to admit, placing one wheel down on a high craggy peak of a mountain that can’t be reached by conventional means is always fun, and the views are magnificent.

However, after that much flying in the cold (think sub freezing) and in the bouncy, noisy, crew seat of a helicopter, I am pretty wiped. However, I figured I would share some of the views I saw today. The things we see flying through the remote mountain peaks a glaciers are awesome, and you can’t help but think about how few people have ever set sights on such things or been to such places.

• This is why it's useless to shoot fireworks in AK. Taken at 2am w/ #iphone4 http://yfrog.com/bgzvij #
• 8mo post 2nd tour and fireworks still make pulse shoot up and adrenaline rush in. Stupid fireworks… #
• Off on leave!! #
• ha! funny smartass iPhone! http://tweetphoto.com/31249964 #
• Yes!! Made it through the Zoo and I am still on leave! Zoo=0 Family=1 #
• I herby coin the term "Drive-by Tourism" That pretty much describes our drive home #

The other day, when we were traveling down the Parks Highway, you really couldn’t see Mt. McKinley very well. After all, it does create its own weather. However, on the way back, it was absolutely amazing! So in the spirit of sharing one of the great wonders, I am posting a panorama of the range with Denali/Mt. McKinley very prominent and covered in snow.

So, we finally got some much deserved leave and have arrived in the “big city” of Anchorage. It was a long and beautiful trip. It wasn’t as gorgeous and cool as the Richardson Highway a few weeks ago, but a nice drive nonetheless. We got some great pictures of Mt. McKinley, aka Denali, as well as the local flora and few other things. Unfortunately, still no moose or bear.

We got a great rate at the hotel, something the military is generally pretty good at. Just to put it in perspective, three days in a suite on post costs less than one night in a room out in Anchorage. So, the savings put a smile of the wife’s face as we were able to get her a brand spanking new iPhone4 as well as enjoying a dinner at Outback. That might not seem like much to those of you living in civilization, but when the best chain we have is Chili’s, Outback is something special.

So, now its off to enjoy a few days with the family before the push through summer training hits. I am posting a few pics below.

• I updated my iTunes to 9.2 so I could update my #iPhone to #iOS 4, now I can't jailbreak my #iPad Shiznit!! #
• Went swimming today while hanging underneath a helicopter via the Jungle penetrator. The water in BFE Alaska was kinda nice.. #
• Did more Hoist MEDEVAC training today. This is the only way to play! http://yfrog.com/594p5j #
• Covering staff duty for one of my soldiers so he could go on leave. The bn messed up the roster. I hate SD. #